The Community

Our Commitment in Practice

Taseko’s success is achieved through mutual benefit, where communities and people gain value and opportunity from the investment we make and the work we perform.

We are committed to the communities we operate in as demonstrated by our local hire and purchasing polices, and by our corporate giving initiatives.

Highlights:

  • Taseko buys and hires locally, to provide economic opportunity in the communities we operate in:
    • In 2020, Gibraltar Mine spent over $300 million on supplier goods and services. Approximately 39% of these expenditures ($116.3 million) were purchased from suppliers and contractors in the BC Interior and Cariboo regions.
    • Construction of the Florence Copper Production Test Facility contributed approximately US$12 million to the local economies of Florence, Coolidge, San Tan Valley, Queen Creek, and surrounding communities in 2018.
  • Charitable and community giving by the Gibraltar Mine, the Florence Copper Project and Taseko since 2011 totals over $6.6 million.

Local Jobs, Local Suppliers

Gibraltar Mine

Gibraltar employs approximately 700 employees. Roughly, 96% of Gibraltar’s wages are paid to those living in Williams Lake, Quesnel, and 100 Mile House, which equates to about $72 million in annual wages injected into the local economy.

These high paying jobs provide long-term benefits to the local community, which include (but are not limited to):

  • Increased local spending on consumer goods and services
  • Increased residential property values
  • Maintaining population strength
  • Social program benefits; school, road, hospital upgrades

In 2020, Gibraltar Mine spent over $300 million on supplier goods and services. Approximately 39% of these expenditures ($116.3 million) was purchased from suppliers and contractors in the BC Interior and Cariboo regions.

On a monthly basis, Gibraltar purchases approximately $10 million in supplies from local suppliers. Some of Gibraltar’s regular supplier purchases include: Grinding media from Kamloops, Foundry service based out of Penticton, radios and satellites from Kamloops, lime based products from Cache Creek, blasting software and products from Delta, automotive supplies, printing services, and office supplies from Williams Lake, haul truck tires from Kamloops and Vernon, and valves and pumps purchased from a number of vendors across British Columbia.

Florence Copper

Florence Copper currently employs 38 men and women, with a local payroll of approximately US$2.1 million, up from $1.4 million in 2019.

Local procurement will be a priority during construction of commercial operation facilities, a capital project of US$200 million.

During commercial operation, Florence Copper will employ approximately 170 people in a variety of positions from administration to operations.


Giving Back

Taseko’s commitment to communities extends beyond payroll and supplies. The Company’s commitment to local health and wellbeing, arts and culture, community services, and education is proven though its corporate and local charitable giving initiative’s.

Combined, the list of donations to charitable and community support groups provided by the Gibraltar Mine, the Florence Copper Project and Taseko since 2011 is over $6.5 million.

Some of the sponsorship and donation programs include:

4H Club

Over the past 10 years, Gibraltar has been proud to donate over $80,000 to the local 4H Club, which has included sponsorship of events such as the launch of the 4H Branch for Williams Lake First Nations youth and community members.

School District 27 – Cariboo Chilcotin

Since 2010, Gibraltar has donated over $29,000 to the local school district. One of the programs that Gibraltar is heavily involved in is the Heavy Metal Rocks Program, as large in-school event that provides youth the opportunity to learn about mining and operate equipment in a controlled setting.

United Way Campaign

Taseko employees are generous. Since 2008, Taseko-Gibraltar employees, along with the Company, have donated $813,000 to the Annual United Way Campaign, an employee driven program focused on local need.

Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre

In July 2013, Taseko made a three-year $1.5 million commitment to help build a new Mental Health Facility at Vancouver General Hospital. It was the largest corporate contribution to mental health and helped to make the new Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre a reality. This new state-of-the-art treatment facility provides therapeutic healing environment for patients from across the province.

Florence Copper Scholarship Program

Since 2011, Florence Copper has awarded over $66,700 in scholarships to high school seniors from Florence High School and Poston Butte High School as part of its Creating Opportunities Scholarship Program. The program has helped 33 local students fulfill their higher education goals.

The Florence Copper Community Foundation

The Florence Copper Community Foundation supports initiatives that respond community need. The Florence Copper Community Foundation is makes a valuable contribution to the community of Florence and greater Pinal County through charitable donations, community project support, and sponsorships.

Over $59,000 has been awarded by the Florence Copper Foundation, including: Honoring/Hiring/Helping Our Heroes of Pinal County, the Florence Food Bank, Copper Basin YMCA and the Future Forward Foundation.

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